December 31, 2017

November 24, 2017

Freedom Film Festival was started with the aim to create a much needed platform for filmmakers and activists to showcase their films and advocate their causes to the Malaysian public. It is also an occasion to celebrate great films and filmmakers and to talk about the films in an intimate, interactive, open atmosphere.

World famous chef Massimo Bottura tastes the prepared menu. He gives final instructions and the beautiful auditorium of a former theater fills with hot plates. But the guests at table are not the traditional guests of his Michelin restaurant; they are homeless and refugees who sleep in shelters and on the streets of Milan. The ingredients used are just as untraditional, as Massimo uses foodstuffs thrown out at the EXPO Milano that is underway. The evenings, during which 40 chefs from around the world will take it in turns, allow the guests to meet a world they usually cannot enter. However, all are a part of a moment during which it is possible to forget all hardship and enjoy the fleeting beauty of the instant.

Malaysia is in crisis. Its ruling regime Barisan Nasional (BN) has been implicated in a worldwide corruption scandal and its people are being squeezed by higher living costs.

A political coalition has emerged that wants to ‘Save Malaysia’ from that regime and it wants Malaysians to vote for it in the 14th general election.

The coalition, Pakatan Harapan, is filled with former political enemies – Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Anwar Ibrahim. Dr Mahathir is blamed for destroying Malaysia’s democracy. Dr Mahathir’s party Bersatu is filled with people who cemented BN’s power. Bersatu leaders are now working with people from PKR, DAP and Amanah, people they had once harassed, suppressed and jailed.

This film explores whether this coalition can actually work? Can they be trusted to replace an even worse regime?

What assurances do Malaysians have PH will not get another dictatorship under a different name?

What guarantees do we have that this movement will truly ‘Save Malaysia’?

Penang is at a point of time where it is about to experience an unprecedented shift of its urban facade with the approval of multiple large scale development projects. While such news of development promises a much desired face-lift and reinforcement of Penang’s economic prowess, it does come with a price that may only be apparent in hindsight. This is the story of the hills and the sea of Penang, highlighting the struggle of Mohd. Ishak, a coastal fisherman and Joleen Yap, a wildlife researcher on Dusky Leaf Monkey, taking on and finding a place in Penang’s ambitious development.

In order to live with her girlfriend Kai Li, Ah Tang left Malaysia for Taiwan. As gay/same-sex marriage hasn’t been legalized, Ah Tang has no other choice but to stay on with a student visa, by becoming a 35-year-old freshman. How are Ah Tang and Kai Li’s families like? What do they think of marriage and family? A single bed, a couple’s dream of becoming each other’s family.

A glimpse of the life of Indira Gandhi, a Hindu mother. The husband who just converted into Islam took away her daughter, Prasana, when she was 11 months old. She has not managed to see her child for the last 7 years. Does Islam deny her right to embrace her own child? What have Prasana’s brother and sister gone through after being left and converted into Islam without their knowledge by their father? Would Prasana one day be interested to watch the movie diary of her family whom she has not met?

*Women’s Leadership Workshop* (FREE)

We’re conducting a FREE mini leadership workshop for those who missed it the first time around. This workshop will be conducted by Yeap Ai Li, Krista Goon, Josephine Yoong & Elisa Khaw. This is a project to reach out to 100 women in Penang by the National Assoc of Women Entrepreneurs Malaysia and The Asia Foundation.

It’s an amazing opportunity for you to meet women of all backgrounds, understand yourself as a leader and learn how to help others with guidance and mentoring conducted by the above 4 mentors who are all entrepreneurs.

Open to ALL WOMEN who want to be leaders. If you want to achieve the milestones in your life, business, work, family and community, attend this workshop.

The name LUMA refers to the attribute of shining bright. Operating with the concept of keeping an open house, LUMA seeks to support arts and culture endeavours that create avenues towards greater contributions to society. The LUMA vision is about believing in people coming together to shine like bright lights; being generous with their talents, time & resources; and fusing a sense of community in creativity.

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Weekly Write : Monday, 13 November 11:30 am – 10:30 pm

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Write into the Night : Friday, 24 November 9 .00 – 11.50 pm

Need to stay awake for GTLF’s Bump In The Night? Come hang out with us at LUMA from 9pm – 11:50pm to write, drink, and play word games as we wait for this free special event at Hin Bus Depot.

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Saturday Scribbles : Saturday, 2 December 12 noon – 5 pm

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Hosted by MYWriters Penang, the weekly & monthly write-ins at LUMA are when writers gather in one place with their laptops or notebooks (depending on what they use to write) and set aside time to do some serious writing. Not every writer needs it, but often, having other writers hard at work nearby is great motivation for writing. If you get stuck, feel free to discuss the finer points of your plot with whoever else is procrastinating – just try not to disturb those who are already in the zone!

A monthly Critique Session is held every third Monday from 8.00pm onwards. If you have any piece you’d like us to discuss, dissect, workshop, opine on, critique or listen to, do bring it along. If you’re reading during this month’s MYWriters readings, this is the perfect time to run it by an audience who can give you reading & performance tips. (If you’d like us to read it in advance, send it over to anna@annatsp.com)